Josh Hamilton on being booed and on possibly “shaking the dust” off his feet and moving elsewhere

After Friday’s 5-1 loss to Baltimore in the AL Wild Card game, during which Hamilton was booed while going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts and a double play grounder in eight total pitches seen, the soon-to-be-free-agent said returning to the Rangers was his first choice.

But then he said more. When asked about the booing, Hamilton said it was “bad, pretty bad.”

He was asked how he responds to that and Hamilton, who often cites his Christian faith, said something about learning from the bible. The inquisitor asked if that meant turning the other cheek.

Said Hamilton: “No. I think about bible verse that says if they don’t receive you in town, then shake the dust off your feet and move on.”

In particular, he was referring to Matthew 10:14, which states: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”

Hamilton once again returned to saying he did not necessarily want to leave Texas.

Hamilton officially becomes a free agent as soon as the World Series ends. The Rangers can now get started on a strategy about whether they want to pursue him or not.